Maize prices rose in Nizamabad in Telangana, the benchmark market, due to shortage of good quality crop. Arrivals of the grain were also down as farmers are holding back their crops to sell it to the government. Telangana government has started maize procurement in Nizamabad at the MSP. However, purchases by the government are negligible so far due to unavailability of good quality grain. The moisture content in the grain is 18-20% against the desired level of 14%.